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Chapter 12

“...”

Upon seeing that he had stopped, Erika also stopped and stared at him. She looked at him intently, as if questioning why he had stopped.

“Are you going to keep following me?” he asked, dumbfounded by her reaction.

“Yes.”

“I told you I don’t want to go with you.”

“I know. I have my own agenda.”

“What agenda?”

She thought for a moment before answering, “Following you.”

“...”

At her shameless response, he made a peculiar expression.

What’s up with her?

Apart from the brief eye contact during the entrance ceremony, there wasn’t much interaction between them.

He stared back at her, who seemed suspiciously interested in him.

“Have we met before?”

“Nope. The entrance ceremony was the first time.”

“Then why are you so interested in me?”

She stared at him, puzzled by his question.

“Am I not allowed to be interested because we only just met?”

“Well...”

Stopping himself from replying with “of course,” he looked at himself objectively once more.

If it were before the regression, his current state would be quite disappointing. Therefore, it was natural that he felt suspicious when someone as prominent as Erika was interested in him. However, now, he was the honor student of the College of Borsippa, garnering attention from both inside and outside Babel Academy.

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with her.

No matter where one went, it was natural for people to be interested in someone with outstanding abilities.

After he sort of understood the motive behind her actions, he looked at her again with a perplexed expression.

“I can’t?” Erika asked. She seemed to be sincerely asking if she wasn’t allowed to follow him.

In response to her seemingly harmless question, he hesitated for a moment.

“Well... it’s not that you aren’t allowed.”

“Good then.” She nodded in satisfaction.

Feeling an inexplicable awkwardness in her unassuming demeanor, he turned away and continued walking. Thinking she had obtained permission to follow him, she narrowed the distance between them and walked by his side.

“Precisely which minor courses are you looking for?” she asked.

“Any about buffs.”

At first, he was simply thinking of finding someone or something to apply a buff to him temporarily. However, after considering the future, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to learn it himself. It would be easier to tune the buffs if he applied them himself, and it seemed like there would be many occasions in which he would need to apply buffs to himself.

I was too focused on my pre-regression methods.

Inadvertently, he found himself utilizing his pre-regression level-up methods. But given the changed circumstances, it was a necessity to widen his vision. And the first step in that direction would be to properly learn about buffs.

“What kind of buff are you looking for?”

“The kind that can buff me in specific ways that don’t interfere with the forging process.”

“Forging process, hm...”

She contemplated his requirements for a moment and then asked him again, “Then, what about barrier spells?”

“Barrier spells? Aren’t those more of a defensive technique?”

“It depends on how it’s used. For example.”

She pulled out an elegantly patterned square envelope from her pocket and gently ran her right hand over its surface. Her hand, laced with silver mana, seamlessly drew a spell on the surface.

“Here. Try ripping it.”

After receiving the envelope from her, he grabbed it with both hands and energetically tried to tear it from top to bottom without hesitation.

However, not only was the square envelope intact, there wasn’t even a single crumple; it held up as if it were made of steel. Se-Hoon’s eyes narrowed in confusion.

Was the durability enhanced? No, rather than that...

Sensing that something was different about the envelope, instead of tearing it apart, he opened the flap. To his surprise, the envelope that seemed as stiff as steel just moments ago bent smoothly. To him, this difference in the properties of the envelope was intriguing.

I see; she’s trying to tell me that barrier spells can be used in such a way.

When subjected to a certain amount of force, the envelope became as tough as steel, but in other conditions, it maintained its original qualities. This was a spell that was actively turned on and off depending on the situation.

It was well-suited for him due to the delicacy of the forging process.

This spell seems oddly familiar.

Perhaps he had seen something similar in the study materials he had used before the regression.

As he examined the envelope, Erika continued to explain, “Complex applications of barrier spells like this may not be easy for you to do for now. But if you’re only using the spells for specific situations, you should seek the professor’s assistance to create a suitable barrier spell.”

“Hmm...”

“I have connections to a professor who teaches the Barrier Compositions class, so perhaps I can connect you if you wish. But in return, um...”

“Ah. This was it.”

Riiip!

Her eyes widened at the sight of the envelope that had been torn in half.

Despite being reinforced by her family’s barrier spell, the envelope had been torn by the hands of someone without much mana. It was bewildering.

“...”

There were only two possible ways he could’ve torn the envelope: he possessed a skill specialized in destroying barriers, or he figured out the structure of the spell and destroyed it in such a short period.

Regardless of which method he used, both were extraordinary abilities to possess.

As she observed him with a serious expression, he tore apart the rest of the envelope as if dismantling the remainder of the spell.

With a structure like this, it would definitely be useful for forging.

If he were to use it during a battle, it might be challenging. But if he used it only while forging, it seemed like it was worth learning a bit. He wore a satisfied expression and looked at Erika.

“Barrier spells are quite nice. Thanks for the advice.”

“...mhm”

“I’m going to sign up for the class. You can go grab a meal with your subordinates, who have been following us from behind. I’ll throw this away.”

Waving his hand, he turned toward the main building of the Department of Spells without hearing her response. Erika’s subordinates, who had been silently following them, ran straight to her as if they had been waiting for him to leave.

“Are you okay, my lady?”

“Did he do anything weird to you?”

They fussed over all sorts of concerns and checked her body. However, Erika didn’t even give them a glance. Instead, she continued to look at Se-Hoon, or more specifically, the square envelope that was crumpled in his hands and then discarded into the trash can.

“... the invitation letter.”

The envelope contained an invitation for the social gathering Noblesse, a gathering exclusive to elite members among the students at Babel Academy. Almost everyone eagerly sought an invitation, yet Se-Hoon had just shredded one with his hands.

“I was giving him one...” she muttered with a sulky expression.

***

“...”

Rays of sunlight streamed through the seams in the blinds, illuminating the dimly lit room.

Se-Hoon, waking from his sleep, lay in bed. He slowly regulated his breathing and tried to recall what happened yesterday.

After finishing registering for my minor course, I trained at the training center.

After thoroughly reviewing his memories to ensure there was nothing vague or awkward about recent events, he checked his body and the objects around him for textures.

After about thirty minutes of examination, he sat back down on the bed, sighed, and muttered to himself, “This is real.”

This was the daily verification process that he had been doing every morning after the regression. He was checking if this was all a dream and he was still on the verge of death, or if this was the result of the demons stimulating his brain after they stored it in a jar.

Even though I know that probably neither is the case, it’s discomforting if I don’t confirm it myself...

He felt a bit frustrated about this daily ritual, but there was no choice besides letting time resolve it. Plus, he did also felt a sense of freshness.

Now done with his ritual, he got out of bed and headed straight to the living room.

The living room was equipped with basic furniture such as a sofa, table, and TV. It was extravagant for one person, but as the honor student of the Department of Borsippa, it was all given to him.

Somehow, this house feels like it’s much better than the house I lived in before.

After looking down at the panoramic view of the College of Borsippa, he took a light shower and changed into his school uniform before heading outside.

It looks like I only have to visit the Department of Spells in the morning.

He was heading there to take a simple test for the Barrier Composition course, the minor course he signed up for yesterday. After that, he planned to train himself in the training center until lunchtime to get his damned body in shape.

With his morning schedule sorted out, he stepped off the elevator.

“What is she doing here?”

He heard a strange murmur from the front of the dormitory.

“I don’t know. Maybe she’s here to see him."

“Come to think of it, when she was at the exhibition... here he comes.”

The students gathered at the entrance were whispering among themselves. However, as soon as they spotted Se-Hoon, they all turned their gazes towards him, as if they had planned it out.

What’s this all about?

In response to the unexpected situation, he turned his head in the direction where the students had been looking.

“...”

His gaze fell upon Erika, who was standing still with her back turned toward him. Although he wanted to think that she didn’t come here for him, after considering the looks on the faces of the students and his encounter with her yesterday, it was clear who she was waiting for.

He sighed silently and walked towards Erika.

“Who are you waiting for?”

Erika, who had been staring straight ahead, slowly turned her head to him and met his gaze.

“You.”

“...I see.”

Why was it that when he hoped something wasn’t true, it always turned out to be so?

With a bitter smile, he asked Erika, who continued to stare at him, “What’s the matter?”

“There’s a test for the Barrier Composition course today. I happen to be taking the test too, so I am going with you.”

“Then you could have waited in front of the Department of Spells building."

He didn’t understand why she would come all the way here and create such a stir. In response to his incredulous expression, she looked at him with a puzzled one.

“Am I not allowed to come?”

“... never mind. Yes, you can come looking for me.”

She seemed like a promising young student at the entrance ceremony. But now, after talking to her, she turned out to be a strange person who only looked normal on the outside. Deciding it would only cause him headaches, he shook off his thoughts and looked at her.

“Then let’s go together.”

“Sure.”

The two of them walked side by side towards the Department of Spells, and naturally, attention was drawn wherever they went. Even though it was still early in the day, there were quite a few students out for morning exercises or breakfast. Besides, both of them were honor students of their respective colleges, so almost everyone was able to recognize them.

I wonder if there’s going to be some strange rumors going around about this.

To others, it might seem like she liked him, but he knew that wasn’t the case at all. If she genuinely liked him, then, due to his unique skill, Blacksmith of Bonds, a bond should have formed with her.

Perhaps she’s only mildly interested in me. And if her interest falls even slightly, she would probably erase me from her memory right away.

As he gazed at Erika, who was silently walking beside him, he naturally recalled who she was before the regression.

She was an S-rank hero who wielded mythical-tier equipment. She was commonly known as the Million Carved, due to being able to cast countless spells proficiently.

I remember she later became the demon named Gluttony.

Among the demons, there were those who were once human before being corrupted by the Abyss of Demons, and she was one of them. Not only that, she was one of the demons among the Ten Evils, those powerful enough to slaughter S-rank hunters. Erika, being Gluttony, was a formidable demon worthy of being in the Ten Evils.

He didn’t know how she became Gluttony, but it was clear that he should be cautious.

Well, at least I don’t have to care about it for now.

She became a demon in the distant future when humanity was pushed to the brink of extinction by the Abyss of Demons. There was still a long time until then left, and her fate could have changed now that she had met him, the biggest living variable existing in this timeline.

While he was lost in thought, they arrived at the main building of the Department of Spells. Then she pointed to one side.

“They said the test would be conducted outdoors. Follow me.”

She took the lead and strode forward. Se-Hoon followed behind, glancing around toward the gazes that were now pouring in more sharply than before.

If the gazes earlier were in curiosity, these are more in hostility.

He had heard that there was a culture of exclusion between departments, but the Department of Spells was especially exclusionary. Considering that he hadn’t felt these gazes when he came here yesterday, their hostility was likely because Erika was walking alongside him.

She’s quite popular indeed.

With such a prestigious family background and excellent abilities, it was obvious that people naturally became her subordinates, unless she rejected them herself.

Amidst their gazes full of hostility, they went to the back of the main building and immediately entered the dense forest.

“Hm.”

The forest had an oddly dismal atmosphere, with little sunlight pouring in. Around them, there were other students who also seemed to have come for the test, but they all seemed to be doing something weird.

“Shit...”

“Where the hell is it?”

They grumbled as they walked around as if they were looking for something. Se-Hoon was puzzled at their behavior.

Are we doing a treasure hunt?

Maybe they were supposed to find objects that were hidden in the forest using barriers. He furrowed his brow at the seemingly bothersome test and continued to follow Erika.

Suddenly, a wide, open space appeared in front of them. He looked at the open area in utter shock, and those there also looked back at him in surprise. An eerie silence lingered in the air.

“Y-you have passed the test.”

“...What?”

He heard a notice that was even more bewildering than the sudden appearance of this open area.